JUDGE PRAISES DETECTIVES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 15 August 1944, Page 5

JUDGE PRAISES DETECTIVES

COMMENT IN CASE OF Th£fT FROM CARS Auckland, Aug. 14. "I have been struck by the excellence of the work done by the detectives engaged in this case,” said Mr Justice Callan, when sentencing two men on five charges of stealing parts from motor cars. “The detectives’ work, in my opinion.” he continued, “has been careful, intelligent, patient and, of course, successful.”

His Honour said he understood this class of offences was very prevalent in the city. Two of these offenders had been laid by the heels and others might well take note that it was too difficult to fight successfully the efforts of an intelligent, well-organised and careful detective force. Anybody caught and convicted would not receive from the Court any ill-advised ancl foolish display of mercy. Some very useful advice to motorists had been given by Detective Rossiter. telling motorists they would be well advised to‘ note the numbers of their tyres and to see that parts were branded. "One other general observation,” said his Honour. “This racket would not be worth while unless there was a market for stolen parts. One wonders who would buy these things. Of one thing I am certain, good honest citizens do not. Nobody at a time like this should look at tyres or material of that kind which have a doubtful or obscure origin. If they do, they need not be surprised if they find themselves treated as worse than bad citizens and being charged here as receivers of stolen property.” The prisoners were Thomas Boyle Dennis, motor mechanic, aged 41, and Clifford Connelly, draughtsman, aged 32. His Honour said Dennis’s record was very bad and the real question was whether he ought now to be declared an habitual criminal, but there was not that persistent lapse into dishonesty that would make such a course necessary. However, he would now be warned that he was liable to be so declared and probably would be if he came before the Court again for any offence involving dishonesty. On five charges of theft Dennis was sentenced to cumulative terms amounting in all to four years’ imprisonment with hard labour. Assuming all possible considerations in Connelly’s favour, his Honour sentenced him to twfl years’ reformat!ve detention.—P.A.